Applying for Social Security Benefits Can Be Difficult

If you are no longer able to support yourself and your family because of a disability, nothing should stand in the way of you getting the benefits you deserve. The process, however, can be difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating. An average of 28% of applications are approved after an initial claim, and over a ten-year period, only 45% of applicants are approved in total. The process can include an initial applicant, a hearing before a judge, an appeal to the Appeals Council, and numerous subsequent appeals filed in the federal courts.

Sometimes Social Security applicants feel as though their claims are being delayed endlessly. In fact, there is a benefit to Social Security Administrators who draw the process out because every step required and every delay encountered raises the odds the applicant will simply give up. For this reason, it is advisable to use an experienced Social Security benefits attorney from the very beginning of your process.

The Social Security attorneys at Rhoads & Rhoads will fight to ensure your claim is moving along smoothly with as little delay as possible. We will make sure no steps are missed and there are no technical reasons that prevent your Social Security claim from being approved.

Rhoads & Rhoads has been protecting the rights of the injured throughout Western Kentucky for over 39 years. If you or a loved one have become disabled and are pursuing Social Security benefits, our team of experienced attorneys and knowledgeable support staff are available to help you through this difficult time and get you the financial recovery you deserve.

Two Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

There are actually two distinct types of Social Security Disability benefits, and the requirements for qualifying are very different, though both do require a careful review of the severity of the applicant’s medical condition and disability. Beyond that, one type of disability benefits relies heavily on the number of qualifying work years one has put into the Social Security system, while the other gives greater emphasis to the limitations of the applicant’s full financial assets.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD): SSDI is available to disabled workers who have paid into the Social Security system through employment over the years.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is available to people who meet certain medical and financial criteria. You do not have to meet any previous employment requirements to qualify for SSI, but your assets will be reviewed to ensure you are truly do not have access to additional resources.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

You can apply for Social Security Disability in multiple ways. Many people are most comfortably applying in person at a local Social Security office. If you choose this method of applying, you should always call ahead and make an appointment.

You can also apply by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Increasingly, people appreciate the option for applying for disability online. This option allows for greater flexibility in terms of saving progress and completing the application when convenient for you. The online process is also available 24 hours a day.

No matter which method of application works best for you, you will need to collect a substantial amount of information in order to apply. Providing all of the information required during the initial application is critical to avoiding delays. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration makes available a detailed checklist of required information.

Owensboro and Madisonville Social Security Lawyers — No Recovery, No Fee

With offices in Owensboro and Madisonville, Rhoads & Rhoads represents Social Security applicants throughout Western Kentucky. We offer free initial consultations, and all cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, which mean there is no payment required up front. We get paid only if we win or settle your case, so there is NO RISK involved.

Call us at 888-709-9329 or contact us by e-mail to schedule an appointment with one of our Madisonville or Owensboro personal injury attorneys.

Follow Us

We've Got Your Back.

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.